Support for same-sex marriage in the United States has declined in recent years after reaching record highs, according to a new Gallup poll.

This marks a notable shift after more than two decades of steady growth in acceptance of same-sex marriage. About 65 percent of U.S. adults now say same-sex marriage should be legal, down from a peak of 71 percent recorded in 2022 and 2023, the survey found.

The shift is significant because it suggests a potential turning point in one of the most dramatic opinion changes in modern U.S. history. Public support for same-sex marriage had been widely viewed as stable or continuing to rise following the Supreme Court’s landmark 2015 decision legalizing it nationwide.

However, the latest data shows the long upward trend has stopped, and public opinion may be entering a period of stagnation or even reversal.

What To Know

The latest Gallup Values and Beliefs survey, published on the third day of Pride Month, found 65 percent of Americans support legal same-sex marriage, down from 71 percent in 2022 and 2023. Nationwide, 62 percent say gay and lesbian relationships are “morally acceptable,” which is the lowest level since 2016.

And even more notably, support has declined across all political groups, though the magnitude varied.

Adam Cohen-Aslatei, CEO of the matchmaking company Three Day Rule, attributed the shifting numbers more to the shifting political landscape in the United States than to an actual drop in support.

“What may look like a decline in support could instead reflect a change in how people choose to express themselves publicly,” Cohen-Aslatei told Newsweek. “Many individuals continue to hold the same beliefs and values but may be more selective about when, where, and how they communicate them. Public sentiment and private sentiment are not always the same, particularly during periods of heightened polarization or social pressure.”

The survey was conducted May 1-17, 2026, among 1,001 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Support Has Declined in Recent Years

The new findings are striking because they interrupt a decades-long rise in support.

Gallup’s previous reports found support for same-sex marriage rose from 27 percent in 1996 to roughly 7 in 10 Americans in recent years. Additionally, views on the morality of same-sex relationships climbed from about 40 percent in 2001 to a peak of 71 percent in 2022.

However, since that peak, support has declined or plateaued, and experts say it’s unlikely to be a one-year anomaly.

“I do feel that there are fewer LGBTQ characters and storylines prominently featured in mainstream media today than there were a few years ago,” Cohen-Aslatei said. “Representation matters because it helps people feel seen, understood, and included, while also increasing awareness and understanding among broader audiences.”

Breakdown by Political Affiliation

The poll shows declines across Democrats, independents and Republicans, but not evenly.

Republicans:

• Support has fallen sharply, to about 37 percent
• Moral acceptance is also significantly lower, around 35 percent

Independents:

• Support remains relatively high at 67 percent, but has declined modestly

Democrats:

• Support remains strong, with only a very slight dip (about 1 point) in recent surveys
• Still, a large majority, 87 percent, continues to back same-sex marriage

This means the overall national decline is driven primarily by Republicans, but the downward movement is evident across all groups, though it is minimal among Democrats.

“I believe people’s political affiliation has led to an 'all or nothing' approach to various issues,” Nicholas Hardy, a psychotherapist at Texas-based Hardy Behavioral Health, told Newsweek. “Since traditionally, Republicans are more socially conservative, I believe this decline is more reflective of the current political landscape.”

Republican Bashes 'Homosexuality in America'

The poll comes one day after Republican Representative Andy Ogles posted and deleted on X that "homosexuality has no place in America." The post also wished his followers "Happy Nuclear Family Month" following a recent designation by state lawmakers, a move that has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, as June is Pride Month.

After backlash, including from fellow Republicans like former Representative George Santos, who is gay, Ogles apologized for the post, writing on X: "Earlier today while working on the farm, my phone began going crazy because of a post made by a member of my comms team. The post was stupid, hurtful and a complete distraction from my America First focus. The employee has been reprimanded."

What Happens Next

It remains unclear whether the decline in support for same-sex marriage marks a longer-term shift in public opinion.

• Same-sex marriage remains legal nationwide under federal law.
• Support still holds at a clear majority level.
• Future polling will determine whether attitudes stabilize or continue to fall.

“This is more reflective of a polarizing political divide than changing social dynamics in the U.S. However, if the political climate shifts, and this trend continues, it could raise questions on whether the thoughts and beliefs of the U.S. population has changed,” Hardy said.

“There are broader implications if this persists…Certain rights could be restricted or eliminated altogether.”